Modular multi-axial rotor

ABSTRACT

A modular, electricity generating apparatus comprises an elongate, central member comprising a first end and a second end; at least one foil disposed about the central member in fluid interacting relation thereto; the first end and the second end dimensioned and configured to be connected to a connecting node; and, the elongate central member at least partially comprised of an electrically conductive material and configured to conduct electrical electricity from at least one of the connecting nodes to the other of the connecting nodes.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/444,306 filed on Apr. 11, 2012 and set to mature in U.S. Pat. No. 8,932,005 on Jan. 13, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed toward electricity generating apparatus, and particularly, those apparatus that are modular in nature and may be assembly into electricity generating assemblies for enhanced electricity production.

2. Description of the Related Art

Electricity generating devices which are powered by wind or passing fluid which operate via vertical rotor are known within the art. For example a savonius-type rotor generally includes a foil disposed in parallel alignment with the central rotor. Additionally, such rotors only work in a vertical or horizontal position whereby they are typically used as singular structures, with no modular or constructive features. Additionally, efficiency is significantly decreased if the passing fluid is not substantially perpendicular to the foil of such a savonius-type rotor.

The present invention addresses these problems, and others known in the art, by providing a electricity generating apparatus, powered by wind or other passing fluid, which is both modular and scalable in nature and configured to produce electricity regardless of the wind or fluid direction relative to its central axis. Additionally, the present invention may be utilized as a structural assembly component, thereby providing auxiliary sources of electricity production in locations heretofore not possible, such as, within a truss of a bridge or a tower, enclosed spaces and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is an electricity generating apparatus. The apparatus is modular in nature, as well as scalable in dimension. The apparatus includes an elongate central member about which a foil is disposed. The foil may be configured to interact with a passing fluid such that a force is generated on the foil via the passage of the fluid. When the central member is rotatably mounted between two fixed points, the force generated by the passage of fluid may induce a rotation of the foil and/or central member about a central axis of the apparatus.

In at least one embodiment, the foil comprises at least one surface which is disposed helically about the central member. As such, the power generated by the foil is generally independent of the direction of fluid flow relative to the apparatus. This is because the helical configuration allows at least some portion of the surface area of the foil to always be presented to the fluid flow. In other embodiments, any number of a variety of foil configurations may be appropriately utilized.

Additional features of certain embodiments of the apparatus include integral electricity generating structure within the apparatus. By way of example, the central member may be comprised of a central stator disposed along the length of the central member. Additionally, a hollow shell may then be rotatably disposed about the central stator and the foil attached to the shell, either unitarily or otherwise. Such a configuration lends itself to the inclusion of the various structures and features of an electrical generator commonly known as a dynamo, alternator, or otherwise, with the central member forming the stator of such a generator and the hollow shell forming the rotor of such a generator.

Yet another feature of the present invention is that it is modular and may be constructed into assemblies. For example, a plurality of substantially identical apparatus may be interconnected via a plurality of connecting nodes. A connecting node may, for example, include a collar, into which an end of the apparatus may be inserted for retention therein. Accordingly, a plurality of connecting nodes may be provided with a plurality of apparatus to construct a variety of configurations, such as pyramids, domes, towers, etc. which may be utilized in or as part of self-supporting, as well as external load-supporting, structures.

As an alternative embodiment, at least some of the electrical generator structuring may be disposed within the connecting node. By way of example one end of a central member may be rigidly connected to a rotor of an electric generator disposed within the connecting member. As such, when the central member rotates, due to the force of fluid passing the foil, the rotor of the electric generator will rotate accordingly. Alternatively, one end of the central member may form such a rotor and be inserted into receiving relation with a stator disposed inside the connecting node, thereby forming an alternative electric generator.

Additionally, in such assemblies as have been described heretofore, each of the connecting nodes and each of the apparatus may contain electrical contacts which may be interconnected, such that the electricity generated by each apparatus of an assembly may be conducted through the entire assembly to a single receptacle point on the assembly, thereby reducing the need to electrically connect each apparatus individually with external electrical contacts.

Yet another feature of the present invention is the ability to form structural assemblies from the apparatus and connecting nodes. The apparatus and connecting nodes of the present invention lend themselves to being formed of a variety of materials, plastics, metals, etc. As such, the present invention may be formed of material with sufficient structural integrity so as to allow the assemblies of the present invention to bear weight, for example, structural steel and/or other metals or alloys. Composite materials are also suitable for such an application.

Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the apparatus may be formed into weight bearing assemblies, for example, triangular structures, and further assembled into towers, domes, pyramids, bridge structures, enclosed spaces, and the like. As such, the assemblies of the present invention may be used to support external structures, for example, a roadway of a bridge or a roof which may be suspended from an assembly. Alternatively the present invention may be used to form towers such as, radio towers, water towers, etc.

In at least one embodiment of a structural assembly, the apparatus includes a rigid connection to each adjacent connecting node such that force may be transferred through adjacent apparatus and connection nodes. In this sense, the apparatus of the structural assemblies may be stressed members when disposed in weight supporting relation to an external structure, such as, but not limited to, a bridge roadway, suspended roof of an enclosed structure, reservoir of a water tower, one or more satellite receivers and/or broadcast antennae, etc.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into consideration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side plan view of an electricity generating apparatus and connecting nodes according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a foil in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a section plan view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an assembly of apparatus and connecting nodes in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an assembly of apparatus and connecting nodes in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an assembly of apparatus and connecting nodes in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an assembly of apparatus and connecting nodes in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side section view of one embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 depicts an electricity generating apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 100 as depicted includes an elongated central member 110. The central member 110 serves in part to provide a mounting point for the foil 120, as well as to interconnect the apparatus 100 between connecting nodes 200. Additionally, the central member 110 may serve as an axle about which the apparatus 100 may rotate. For example, the central member 110 may be disposed in rotatable relation to the connecting nodes 200.

The foil 120 of the present invention is an at least partially rigid structure connected to or disposed on or about the central member 110. The foil 120 serves to transmit force to the central member 110 via interaction with a fluid travelling past the foil 120. For purposes of the present invention any of a variety of foil shapes or configurations may suffice, such as a traditional airfoil or other shape. However in the depicted embodiment, the foil 120 is comprised of at least one helical surface 121 which is disposed about the central member 110. As such, at least a portion of the foil is always presented to the passing fluid, which allows for smoother force input to the central member, and accordingly, smoother power input. Additionally, the foil 120 may comprise a tapered configuration, as at 122, such that adjacently disposed foils 100 of adjacently disposed apparatus 100 do not collide, as will be explained further below.

FIG. 2 provides a top plan view of a foil 110 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention such that the general shape and configuration may be presented.

FIG. 3 presents a section plan view of a foil 110 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention along line 3-3 of FIG. 1, such that the general shape and configuration may be similarly presented. Accordingly, a cross-section of the foil 100 is presented. As can be seen, in the depicted embodiment, the cross-sectional area 123 of the foil 100 comprises a central portion 124 that is substantially conforms to the central member 110 and gradually tapers toward a trailing edge 125 that is substantially thinner in cross section. It should be appreciated that the depicted embodiment is but one of many possible configurations encompassed by the present invention. One benefit of the depicted embodiment however, is that the enlarged central portion 124 of the foil 100 increases the bending moment resistance of the apparatus 100. Additionally, the depicted embodiment is capable of producing a low pressure lifting force on the leeward side of the foil 100, which supplements pressure on the windward side of the foil 100, thereby increasing the amount of torque produced by the apparatus 100 as it rotates.

As another feature of the present invention, a plurality of apparatus 100 may be assembled into an assembly as exemplified in FIGS. 4 through 7. With continuing reference to FIGS. 1, and 4 through 7, the connecting nodes 200 may serve as junctions with which to interconnect the plurality of apparatus 100. As such, one embodiment of a connecting node 200 may include a connecting node collar 210 into which an end 130, 140 may be disposed. As can further be seen, the tapered configuration 122, which in the depicted embodiment comprises a reduced radial dimension at the first end 130 and second end 140, serves to provide clearance between immediately adjacent apparatus 100.

Additionally, the connecting nodes 200 may take any of a variety of desired configurations, as depicted in FIGS. 4-7, such configurations being mainly dictated by the shape of the desired assembly, as depicted in FIGS. 5 and 7.

Now turning to FIG. 8, depicted is one embodiment of an apparatus 100 according to the present invention that includes a stator 111 and a shell 112 within the central member 110. As such, at least a portion of the structure required for an electric generator may be disposed within the central member 110. Accordingly, the stator 111, even though stationary in the present invention, may correspond structurally to a rotor as generally implemented in electric motors or generators, as it is centrally located within the central member 110. Similarly, the shell 112, even though dynamic, may correspond structurally with a stator as generally implemented in electric motors or generators, as it is disposed about the stator 111 of the present invention. Thus, the stator 111 and shell 112 are comprised of such electrically and/or magnetically conductive material so as to form an electric generator or otherwise take advantage of the known effects of induction when the shell 112 is rotated about the stator 111 in order to produce electricity. It should be understood that the depicted structure merely depicts one embodiment of the present invention and many other embodiments are suitable. For example, any number of electrical generator structure may be disposed within the connecting node 200. For example, the central member 110 may be configured to rotate within at least a portion of the connecting node 200, thereby providing a rotor as commonly implemented in electric generators. Additionally, substantially all of the electrical generator structure may be disposed within the connecting node 200, and the central member 110 rigidly attached to the rotor therein, thereby driving the rotor when the central member 110 is rotated.

Furthermore, at least a portion of the central member 110 and connecting node 200 may be fabricated of electrically conductive material and having electrical contacts for electrical interconnection between adjacent central members 110 and connecting nodes 200. As such, when deployed as an assembly 1000 with a plurality of apparatus 100, electricity may be drawn from and conducted through each apparatus 100 such that only one exterior electrical connection need be made in order to draw electricity from the assembly. This may be accomplished, for example, by disposing a single electrical receptacle on a predetermined connecting node 200 of the assembly 1000, and constructing the assembly 1000 such that each successive apparatus 100 and connecting node 200 is disposed in electrical interconnection with the predetermined connecting node 200. Of course, in alternative embodiments, it may be desirable to utilize multiple electrical receptacles and/or other exterior electrical connections.

Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Now that the invention has been described, 

What is claimed is:
 1. A scalable, modular, electricity generating apparatus comprising: an elongate, central member; at least one foil disposed about said central member in fluid interacting relation thereto; said central member further including at least a first end and a second end; each of said first end and said second end dimensioned and configured to be connected to a connecting node; said elongate central member further including an electrically conductive material; and, said elongate central member further configured to conduct electricity from at least one of the connecting nodes to the other of the connecting nodes.
 2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said central member further comprises a stator member rigidly connected to the connecting nodes.
 3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said central member further comprises a shell rotatably disposed about said stator member.
 4. That apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said stator and said shell at least partially comprise an electrical generator.
 5. The apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said at least one foil is rigidly connected to said shell.
 6. The apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said at least one foil is unitary with said shell.
 7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said foil includes at least one surface disposed helically about said central member.
 8. The apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said foil further comprises a reduced radius toward each of said first end and said second end, providing clearance for adjacently disposed foils of others of said apparatus.
 9. The apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said foil further includes a central portion substantially conforming to said central member.
 10. The apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein said foil further includes a trailing edge that is thinner in cross-section than said central portion.
 11. An electricity generating assembly comprising: a plurality of electricity generating apparatus, each including at least an elongate central member, a first end, a second end, and at least one foil disposed about said central member; a plurality of connecting nodes; each of said first ends and second ends connected to a corresponding one of said plurality of connecting nodes, thereby interconnecting said plurality of apparatus; each of said plurality of apparatus and each of said plurality of connecting nodes correspondingly configured and disposed to conduct electricity therebetween.
 12. The electricity generating assembly as recited in claim 11 wherein at least some of said plurality of central members further comprise a stator member rigidly connected to said connecting nodes; a shell rotatably disposed about said stator member; and, wherein said stator member and said shell at least partially comprise an electrical generator.
 13. The electricity generating assembly as recited in claim 11 where in at least some of said connecting nodes include a connecting node collar wherein, at least some of said first ends and said second ends are disposed within said connecting node collar.
 14. The electricity generating assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein at least a portion of either of said first end or said second end of said central member is rotatably disposed within said collar.
 15. The electricity generating assembly as recited in claim 14 wherein said collar and said either of said first end or said second end of said central member at least partially comprise an electrical generator.
 16. The electricity generating assembly as recited in claim 11 wherein at least some of said connecting nodes further comprise at least one electrical generator connected in mechanically driven relation to either of said first end or said second end of said central member.
 17. A structural, electricity generating assembly comprising: a plurality of electricity generating apparatus, each including at least an elongate central member, a first end, a second end, and at least one foil disposed about said central member; a plurality of connecting nodes; each of said first ends and second ends connected to a corresponding one of said plurality of connecting nodes, thereby interconnecting said plurality of apparatus; wherein said plurality of apparatus and said plurality of connecting nodes are disposed in an at least partially structural configuration in supporting relation to an external structure; wherein at least one of the plurality of apparatus is a stressed member.
 18. The assembly as recited in claim 17 wherein each of said plurality of apparatus and each of said plurality of connecting nodes are correspondingly configured and disposed to conduct electricity therebetween. 